USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

DOMESTIC SWINE FROM CANADA

Updated May 2020 

1 

This protocol describes the conditions required to import live swine from Canada according to regulations 

found in 9 CFR Part 93. 

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.1. A USDA import permit is not required for swine presented for entry into the U.S. at a land

border port designated in 9 CFR 93.403(b) for the entry of swine from Canada. 

These ports include: Houlton, Maine; Derby Line and Highgate Springs, Vermont; 

Alexandria Bay, Buffalo (Lewiston Bridge) and Champlain, New York; Port Huron and 

Detroit, Michigan; Pembina, Dunseith and Portal, North Dakota; Raymond and Sweetgrass, 

Montana; Eastport, Idaho; and Oroville and Sumas, Washington which are staffed on a fulltime or part-time basis by U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal Plant Health Inspection 

Service Veterinary Services (USDA APHIS VS) personnel.

1.2. Swine presented for entry into the U.S. at sea, air, or non-designated land border ports must 

be accompanied by an import permit issued under the authority of USDA APHIS VS 

Strategy and Policy (S&P). To receive this permit, importers must submit VS Form 17-129, 

“Application for Import or In-Transit Permit”, which may be obtained by writing, calling, or 

downloading an application from the sources below. 

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services

Strategy & Policy, 

Unit 39, 4700 River Road 

Riverdale, MD 20737-1231 

Telephone: (301) 851-3300, Option 2 

Fax: (301) 734-4704 

Web Site: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/index.shtml

1.3. Swine must be presented by appointment to a U.S. port of entry. 

1.4. A VS Form 17-29, “Declaration of Importation,” must be presented by the importer or their 

agent for the use of the port veterinarian. A fillable form may be found at this link: 

(https://www.aphis.usda.gov/library/forms/pdf/vs17_29.pdf. 

1.5. An official health certificate is required for all swine presented for entry from Canada for 

purposes other than immediate slaughter (“non-slaughter swine”). The official health 

certificate must be issued by a veterinarian designated (accredited) by the Canadian Food 

Inspection Agency (CFIA) and must be endorsed by a veterinarian employed by the CFIA 

attesting to the certifications required in this protocol.

1.5.1. Swine imported for immediate slaughter (“slaughter swine”) may be imported from 

Canada without health certification.

1.5.2. In the event of an FAD outbreak in Canada, an official health certificate (HA3049), 
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

DOMESTIC SWINE FROM CANADA

Updated May 2020 

2 

will be required for swine for immediate slaughter as in 1.4. 

1.6. Farm-raised wild boar (non-zoo source) from Canada are considered by USDA APHIS to 

be a sub-species of swine. Please refer to USDA APHIS VS Strategy & Policy Protocol for 

Importation of Farm Raised Wild Boar from Canada. Canada has separate export health 

certificates for farm-raised wild boar (HA2228), zoo swine (HA2230), and domestic swine. 

1.7. Importers are advised that individual U.S. states may have additional requirements than

USDA APHIS. 

1.7.1. It is the importer’s responsibility to verify and to meet these conditions. 

1.7.2. Importers should contact officials in the destination state to determine these

requirements (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-andanimal-product-import-information/entry-requirements/us-state-and-territoryanimal-import-regulations. 

1.7.3. These may include a state import permit, additional testing, and/or non-vaccination 

status.

2. CERTIFICATIONS: The official health certificate must contain the following statements

2.1. Canada is free of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Classical Swine Fever (CSF), African 

Swine Fever (ASF), Swine Pseudorabies (Aujeszky’s Disease, AD), and Swine Vesicular

Disease (SVD). 

OR: 

2.2. In the event of an outbreak of foreign animal disease in Canada, the swine intended for 

export to the U.S. did not originate from, or transit through, a current USDA APHIS 

recognized zone or region in Canada established due to the detection of Foot-and-Mouth 

Disease (FMD), Classical Swine Fever (CSF), African Swine Fever (ASF), Swine 

Pseudorabies (Aujeszky’s Disease, AD), or Swine Vesicular Disease (SVD). 

2.3. The swine were part of the national herd of Canada: 

2.3.1. The swine were born in Canada or the United States, and have been in no region

other than Canada or the United States, or 

2.3.2. The swine have been legally imported into Canada from some other region and 

unconditionally released in Canada; they were eligible to move freely within that 

region without restriction of any kind and have been in Canada after such release for 

60 days or longer. 

2.4. The swine have not been imported into Canada from countries designated by USDA APHIS 

as affected with FMD, CSF, ASF, AD, or SVD; nor are they first generation progeny of such 

imported swine. 
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

DOMESTIC SWINE FROM CANADA

Updated May 2020 

3 

2.5. The swine have had no contact with swine or swine products (including imported swine or 

swine products) that were located in a current USDA APHIS recognized zone or region 

established due to the detection of FMD, CSF, ASF, AD, or SVD. 

2.6. The swine have not been vaccinated against FMD, CSF, ASF, AD or SVD and are not progeny 

of vaccinated sows.

2.6.1. The swine have not been vaccinated with any other live or attenuated or inactivated 

vaccine during the 14 days preceding export to the U.S. 

2.6.2. Vaccination protocols for swine vary. Using their professional discretion, herd 

veterinarians develop vaccination protocols for each swine production situation. 

USDA APHIS will accept vaccination programs recommended by consulting swine 

veterinarians, published by swine experts, and/or developed by the swine industry for 

the control of existing swine diseases.

2.7. The attesting CFIA-accredited veterinarian has inspected the swine before the date of export 

and found them to be free of evidence of infectious and communicable diseases and, as far as 

can be determined, exposure thereto during the preceding 60 days.

2.7.1. For non-slaughter swine, inspection must be within 14 days prior to export. 

2.7.2. In the event of an FAD outbreak, all swine (including swine for immediate slaughter) 

will require veterinary inspection. 

2.7.3. In the event of an FAD outbreak, inspection must be within 7 days prior to export. 

2.8. The official health certificate must include: 

2.8.1. Region/country of origin; 

2.8.2. Name and address of exporter;

2.8.3. Address or other means of identifying the premises of origin and any other premises 

where the animals resided immediately prior to export;

2.8.4. Name and address of the importer;

2.8.5. Physical address of destination in the U.S.; 

2.8.6. In the event of an FAD outbreak in Canada, the physical location of the APHISapproved slaughter establishment and the applicable Food Safety and Inspection 

Service (FSIS) establishment number for swine for immediate slaughter;

2.8.7. Species, breed, and number of animals to be imported; 

2.8.8. Purpose of importation; 
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

DOMESTIC SWINE FROM CANADA

Updated May 2020 

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2.8.9. Individual identification (see 2.9 below); and

2.8.10. Description of the animals, including age, sex, and breed (if applicable).

2.9. Before export, all swine (except those for immediate slaughter; see below) were individually 

identified with official ear tags using a unique indicator approved under Canada’s official 

national identification system for swine developed by the CFIA, the National Livestock 

Identification and Traceability (TRACE) program. 

2.9.1. The tag/indicator must have a unique identification number which bears the official 

trademark of the responsible administrator (Pig Trace). The unique identification 

number must follow the ISO 11784 standard (15 digit unique number). 

2.9.2. Official ear tags are obtained from the Canadian Pork Council (CPC) and will bear 

the maple leaf logo of the CPC. Various styles (shapes, colors) of official tags exist 

for different ages and purposes of swine. 

2.9.2.1. Ear tags bear a unique 15 digit number that follows the ISO 11784 standard 

format. These can be either electronic (RFID) or non-electronic. 

OR

2.9.2.2. Ear tags bear an official CPC-designated 5 digit alphanumeric herd mark 

unique to the production site. These ear tags will have a secondary unique 

herd management identification number on the same tag when used for 

breeding animals.

2.3.1 Official ear tags must be used for breeding swine greater than 70 days of age.

2.3.2 Official ear tags may be used for feeding swine of any age.

2.3.3 In the event of an FAD outbreak in Canada, official ear tags must be used for swine 

for immediate slaughter.

2.10 Subcutaneous microchip implants with an ISO 11784 identification number are approved 

indicators for swine kept primarily for research purposes, for entertainment purposes 

(performing swine), or for a person’s company (pet/ companion swine). 

2.10.1 If microchip implants are used as the sole identification, the importer will provide the 

port veterinarian with a functional microchip reader. 

2.10.2 The animals should be arranged in the conveyance and the microchip implanted in a 

location which allow all microchips to be read without unloading the swine, if 

possible. 
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

DOMESTIC SWINE FROM CANADA

Updated May 2020 

5 

 SWINE ID REQUIREMENTS

Swine Category Primary ID Secondary ID Notes:

Breeding Official tag/ indicator plastic or metal ear 

tag 

 

Feeding: Isoweans

(<21 days of age)

CFIA- approved 

premises tattoo 

(Tattoo must 

be clearly 

readable)

Feeding: >21 days of 

age

Official tag/ indicator plastic or metal ear 

tag

Special category: 

research

Official tag/ indicator or 

microchip implants with 

an ISO 11784 

identification

plastic or metal ear 

tag

Special category: 

entertainment

Official tag/ indicator or 

microchip implants with 

an ISO 11784 

identification

plastic or metal ear 

tag

Special category: 

pet/ companion

Official tag/ indicator or 

microchip implants with 

an ISO 11784 

identification

plastic or metal ear 

tag

3. IMMEDIATE SLAUGHTER SWINE

3.1. Swine imported from Canada for immediate slaughter shall be consigned from the port of 

entry directly to a recognized slaughtering establishment and be slaughtered there within two 

weeks from the date of entry. As used in this section, “directly” means without unloading en 

route, if moved in a means of conveyance, or without stopping if moved in any other manner. 

3.1.1. Slaughter swine may be imported from Canada without certification, but shall be 

subject to the provisions of 9 CFR 93.507, 93.516, and 93.518.

3.1.2. The Declaration of Importation (VS 17-29 form) is the only required document for 

immediate slaughter swine of any age originating in Canada except in the event of an 

FAD outbreak in Canada. 

3.2. Slaughter swine must be visually inspected and conveyances sealed with USDA seals at the 

port of entry. Slaughter swine must then move directly to an APHIS-approved slaughter

establishment. 

3.3. Except for emergency situations, the seals may be broken only at the APHIS-approved 

slaughter establishment by an authorized USDA representative. If the seals must be broken 

due to an emergency situation, USDA APHIS Veterinary Services should be contacted as soon 
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

DOMESTIC SWINE FROM CANADA

Updated May 2020 

6 

as possible either at the port of entry or in the state where the conveyance is located at the time 

of the emergency.

3.4. In the event of an FAD outbreak in Canada, official health certificates and official 

identification of each animal will be required for immediate slaughter swine. 

4. INSPECTION AT U.S. PORT OF ENTRY

4.1. All swine presented for any purpose will be visually inspected onboard the conveyance by 

APHIS VS personnel at the port of entry. Port personnel will observe the basic principles of 

bio-security to reduce the potential for cross contamination between loads of swine.

4.2. Non-slaughter swine: The port VMO will perform a general visual health and fitness to travel

inspection onboard the conveyance and will verify that appropriate official individual animal 

identification matches that listed on the health certificate. 

4.2.1. If individual swine do not meet VS requirements for entry (identification, health 

certification), or if there is any concern about the health status/ fitness to travel of any 

swine in the shipment, the individual swine in the shipment may be refused entry, or 

the entire load may be refused entry, and returned to Canada, at the discretion of the 

port veterinarian.

4.2.2. If there are any swine exhibiting clinical signs of infectious disease, the entire load 

should be refused entry.

4.2.3. If swine presented for non-slaughter purposes meet all requirements for entry, the port 

veterinarians will issue VS Form 17-30, “Report of Animals, Poultry or Eggs Offered 

for Importation”. 

3.2 Swine for Immediate Slaughter: The port VMO shall perform a general visual health and 

fitness to travel inspection onboard the conveyance. 

3.2.1 If any swine are found to be exhibiting clinical signs of infectious disease, or if there are 

other concerns about the health status of swine for immediate slaughter, the entire load 

should be refused entry.

3.2.2 If the swine for immediate slaughter meet all requirements for entry, the port veterinarian 

will seal the vehicle and issue VS form 17-30, “Report of Animals, Poultry or Eggs 

Offered for Importation” and VS form 17-33, “Animals Imported for Immediate 

Slaughter”. These documents will accompany the slaughter swine from the port of entry 

directly to an APHIS-approved immediate slaughter facility.